Recently, India and Pakistan, which have been embroiled in armed conflict and are considered 'effectively nuclear-armed countries,' dramatically agreed to ceasefire on the 10th.
According to local media in India and Pakistan as well as AP and AFP news agencies on the 10th (local time), Ishaq Dar, Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, stated via X (formerly Twitter) that "Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire effective immediately" and emphasized that "Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and security in the region without compromising its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, also stated via X that "India and Pakistan have agreed today to cease firing and military action," adding that "India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against all forms of terrorism and will continue to do so in the future."
The agreement for a ceasefire between the two countries came just three days after they engaged in armed conflict.
India launched the 'Sindhur Operation' on the 7th to retaliate against a shooting terror incident that occurred in Indian-administered Kashmir on the 22nd of last month, conducting missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan.
Following that, both countries carried out attacks on each other's military facilities using drones, and effectively exchanged artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border.
On the same day, Pakistan initiated the 'Bunyanun Marsoos' operation in direct response to the Sindhur Operation, targeting India's missile storage facilities and air bases.
As both countries launched large-scale military operations, concerns grew that this could escalate into an all-out war.
However, from the afternoon of that day, both countries showed a restrained attitude, stating that "if the other side stops provocation, we will also stop." India needed a retaliatory response to the Kashmir shooting incident, while Pakistan needed a counteraction to India's missile attacks. Since both countries had gained justification for conducting one round of 'retaliation' due to Pakistan's military response, there emerged hope that they could reach a ceasefire.
In fact, Minister Dar noted in a local TV interview that "if India is even slightly sane, it will cease military actions, and if India stops, we will also stop" and stated, "We genuinely want peace." The Indian military also mentioned during a press conference that "if Pakistan responds, we will not escalate the situation," hinting at the possibility of a ceasefire.
Efforts for international mediation also continued. President Donald Trump expressed on his social media platform Truth Social that he was pleased to announce that after lengthy negotiations facilitated by the United States, India and Pakistan have agreed to a "comprehensive and immediate ceasefire" and congratulated both countries for demonstrating common sense and great wisdom. He also thanked those interested in the matter.
On the same day, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed that the United States would support efforts to find ways to reduce tensions and initiate constructive dialogue to prevent future conflicts through phone calls with both India and Pakistan.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia and Iran called for a ceasefire and restraint from escalation through direct meetings with officials from both countries. China has also requested restraint from both. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers issued a joint statement that day, urging both countries to exercise "maximum restraint" and calling for immediate de-escalation of tensions and direct dialogue for peace.
The recent clash between the two countries stemmed from a shooting terror incident that occurred near the tourist resort of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on the 22nd of last month. Armed militants in Kashmir carried out a shooting attack targeting tourists, resulting in 26 deaths.
India has designated Pakistan as being behind the terror attacks, subsequently canceling visas for Pakistanis in India and imposing sanctions, including banning imports of goods from Pakistan, banning ships from entering, and prohibiting mail exchange.
In particular, India has pressured Pakistan by blocking the tributaries of the Indus River flowing into Pakistan.
Pakistan has denied any links to terrorism and stated that it would consider India's blockade of water flow an act of war, even mentioning the possibility of a nuclear attack.
Subsequently, both countries continued concentrated artillery bombardments and drone attacks across the LoC, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians.